Motorized Window Treatments: Your Questions Answered
Motorized window treatments add a level of convenience that is undeniable. Shades can be programmed to open and close at specified times of the day or adjust automatically with the sunrise and sunset. Hard-to-reach windows can easily be adjusted with the push of a button or a simple voice command.
Are motorized window treatments the right choice for your home? The answers to our most frequently asked questions can help you decide.
Motorized Pirouette® Sheer Shade with a wall-mounted Pebble Remote
What are the primary benefits of motorized window treatments?
Convenience — Operate your window treatments with the touch of a button, tap on your phone or tablet, or a voice command. Program them to move on their own based on the light control and privacy needs of your daily routine.
Better energy efficiency — Schedule shades to raise and lower automatically to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Enhanced security — Schedule shades to automatically move throughout the day to give your home a lived-in look while you’re away. Control your treatments from anywhere in the world.
Safer for kids & pets — Motorized treatments do not have lift cords, removing a potential hazard for kids and pets.
Nursery with motorized Pirouette® Sheer Shades with a wall-mounted Pebble remote
Which types of windows can motorized treatments be used on?
We have motorized options for nearly any type of window including skylights, glass doors, two-story windows, bay windows, patio sliders, and arched and angled windows.
Some of the most common applications include hard-to-reach windows like those high up in a great room or windows over a kitchen sink or bathtub. Another common application is on large windows requiring large shades. Large treatments can get heavy and motorizing them makes opening and closing them throughout the day hassle-free.
Motorized Applause® Cellular Shades on skylights, angled windows, and French doors
Which types of window treatments can be motorized?
While other companies may offer only a couple of motorized options, Gotcha Covered Raleigh can motorize nearly any type of window treatment including drapes, shades, sheers, blinds, vertical blinds, shutters, and retractable outdoor shades. Our motorized interior shutters are currently the only ones on the market with concealed batteries.
We can layer multiple types of motorized treatments on a single window — for example, motorized drapes can be layered over motorized room darkening roller shades in a bedroom to create a dark environment conducive to a great night’s sleep.
Bedroom with draperies and Sonnette® Roller Shades with the PowerView® Gen 3 Gateway system
Each space in your home functions differently so you may opt for different types of motorized products in each room. Your design consultant will help you determine which treatments will work best in each space considering the style and functional needs of the room.
Do I have to motorize every treatment in my home?
No. You can motorize all, some, or even just one. Some people love the convenience of having every treatment in their home automated while others simply need one or two hard-to-reach windows motorized. There is no difference in looks of motorized shades and manual shades so you can even have some of each in the same room.
Luminette® Privacy Sheers, Silhouette® Sheer Shades, and Design Studio™ Side Panels
How much privacy and light control do motorized treatments provide?
Our motorized treatments are available in a variety of opacities, from light-filtering to room-darkening. Sheer fabrics provide the least amount of privacy whereas opaque fabrics offer total privacy.
Additional features such as dual-roller systems and top-down/bottom-up operation can provide flexible privacy and light control no matter which fabric you choose for your motorized treatments.
Your designer will help you determine the level of privacy and light control needed from each of your windows and guide you to the style of motorized treatment that will provide it.
Silhouette® Sheer Shades with the Duolite® system & PowerView automation
How will I be able to operate my motorized treatments?
You will have various options for controlling your motorized treatments. You can use a remote control or wall switch, an app on your mobile phone or tablet, or with voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant.
Automated Silhouette® Sheer Shades with a surface mount wall switch
Our automated treatments integrate with many of the most popular smart home systems on the market including Brilliant, Clare, Control4, Crestron, Elan, RTI, Savant, and URC.
If you’d like to program your shades to follow custom scenes or sync with the sunrise and sunset, our installation team will help set that up. Before leaving your home, our installers will ensure you’re comfortable operating your treatments no matter what control options you choose.
Hunter Douglas PowerView® app
Can motorized window treatments be hardwired or do they use batteries?
Both. If you are building or remodeling, hardwiring your motorized window treatments is ideal. Bring us your home plans before or during construction and we can assist in making sure the most up-to-date wiring and shade placement is reflected in your home’s plan.
If you’re not constructing a new home, battery-operated window treatments are likely the best choice. Our motorized treatments have concealed battery packs for a clean look.
Designer Roller Shades with PowerView Gateway, Pebble Remote, and Hunter Douglas app
When should I get started motorizing the window treatments in my new home?
The earlier the better — ideally before outlets go in and drywall goes up. This allows us to hardwire treatments and eliminate the need for battery packs. Pre-wiring also allows for the lowest-profile installation and recessed pockets, if desired. And you’ll never have to worry about changing batteries!
Pocket for recessed Designer Screen Shades
If you are building or renovating a home, request a free pre-wiring consultation with one of our motorization specialists here. You only get one opportunity to pre-wire so don’t skip this important step if you think you may want hardwired treatments.
Can I motorize window treatments in an existing home?
Absolutely. We have battery-operated options that work in existing homes. Our concealed battery packs eliminate the need to open up walls for wires or run wires down your window frames.
Where can I see motorized window treatments in action before I buy?
Motorized window treatments are an investment and there are many inferior products on the market — don’t buy them blindly! Visit our showroom to experience our motorized window treatments in person. Our showroom includes full-size interactive displays where you can try out each operating system on various products.
Our showroom is located at 3658 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, NC. Walk-ins are welcome. Ready to explore your options and talk through your project in more detail? Schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our motorization specialists.
